Intentional Strategic Planning
From Reactionary to Intentional: Laying the Foundation for Strategic Planning
Most strategic planning processes are reactionary—they respond to urgent challenges, funding cycles, or external pressures rather than aligning with a long-term vision for change. While this approach may address immediate concerns, it often misses the bigger picture, leaving organizations without a clear roadmap for deeper transformation.
At Create Good, we believe intentional strategic planning requires more than just solving what’s directly in front of us. It’s about stepping back, connecting our work to broader structural shifts, and ensuring that our strategies reflect the change we seek to make in the world.
The Power of a Strong Foundation
Through my work with organizations, I’ve seen firsthand how much more impactful strategic planning can be when we take the time to lay a strong foundation before diving into the planning process. Too often, organizations move quickly into planning mode without first aligning on key principles, historical context, and their role in larger systems transformation. As a result, plans feel disconnected from the structural shifts they’re meant to support.
To bridge this gap, I’ve developed a Strategic Planning Foundations Workshop—a structured yet flexible learning space designed to help organizations build the groundwork for meaningful and sustainable strategic planning.
What This Workshop Covers
This workshop is designed for organizations that want to move beyond reactionary planning and embrace a more intentional approach.
Participants will:
Get steeped in what equity and inclusion mean for their field – Understanding equity isn’t just about having good intentions; it’s about examining how power, resources, and decision-making structures shape outcomes in your area of work.
Understand the systems transformation they’re working toward – Change doesn’t happen in isolation. This workshop will help you identify the larger structural shifts necessary in your sector and where your organization fits within them.
Claim your unique role in the bigger picture – Transforming systems is a collective effort. We’ll help you clarify your organization’s specific contribution so that your strategy is both ambitious and actionable.
Why This Matters
We know that systems change is a long-term process—one that requires coordination among many different actors moving toward a shared vision. Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, a funders’ collaborative, or an advocacy initiative, taking the time to clarify your role within the ecosystem of change can make your work more effective and aligned.
This workshop is an opportunity to ensure your strategic planning process is not just another exercise, but a transformative step toward embedding equity and justice into your organization’s DNA.
If your organization is thinking about strategic planning this year, let’s start by making sure the foundation is solid. Reach out to learn more about the Strategic Planning Foundations Workshop and how it can support your team.
